Stila by Mahi Hadizadeh

http://www.stilacosmetics.com

Recently, I’ve been introduced to a great line of makeup called Stila, and I thought you should know about it too. Simple and practical, the brand's innovative, multi-tasking formulas, eco-friendly packaging, and fashion-forward colors have cemented its place on must-have lists of top beauty editors around the world.

All you need to have a decent makeup using this line is a one-step makeup foundation which acts as your primer, foundation, concealer, and powder, and one-step prime colour which combines your primer, eye shadow, highlighter, lip colour, and cheek colour. All this is applied using your fingers!

I believe every woman should feel beautiful while not overdone. To have a tool like this at your disposal is a must.

High Tech Applicator - Mahi Hadizadeh

Ok, so what’s the deal with installing a vibrator on almost everything we can hold in our hands? From tooth brushes, to razors blades, to massagers, and now on mascara and powder applicators? Really? Mascara applicators? Can we no longer use our fingers and wrists to make a simple movement and apply our mascara?

I can tell you stories of how many customers give in to impulse buying under the influence of media hype and purchase one of these devices only to return it the next day. There is no scientific evidence that either of these devices work better because of the vibration they cause (with the exception of the ORIGINAL vibrator) and the extra money we are forced to pay is-in my humble opinion- just a marketing tactic to extract a little more money out of our pocket.

So the next time you are forced to buy a new vibrating device called “Powered Oscillating Optimum Professional Applicator” or P.O.O.P. Applicator, you should believe the philosophy behind the name.

Have You Heard? By Stefanie Di Mascio

Yesterday a fellow classmate of mine did a presentation on a non-profit organization by the name of To Write Love On Her Arms. After listening to her speak for about 5 minutes I was hooked. Excited to hear more and interested in how I could get involved I came home read over their website and decided I had to blog about them.
To Write Love On Her Arms began in Florida in the Spring of 2006, after Jamie Tworkowski encountered a young woman named Renee. Renee was denied entry into a rehab facility because she was considered "too risky due to self-mutilation behaviour". Jamie spent five days with her and made it his mission to get Renee the help she rightfully deserved. He started a MySpace page and raised money for treatment by selling t-shirts;To Write Her Arms with Love was born and the rest is history.
This organizations mission is simple-provide people with the love and support they need by presenting them with hope. Letting them know they are not alone and it's okay to talk about depression (a topic so often swept under the rug.)
TWLOHA gives these teens a chance to share their stories and remind them that they are not alone, they have a voice, and they are being heard but most importantly they are loved.
Did you know that 30% of teens suffer from depression and untreated depression often leads to suicide and suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens? I didn't either. Depression does not discriminate and according to the World Health Organization 20% of teenagers will suffer from depression by the time they reach adulthood.
With an enormous amount of supporters(bands, celebrities, and a street team) it is clear that love just may be the movement we're all looking for.
To learn more about To Write Love On Her Arms and Renee's story click the links below.
http://www.twloha.com/index.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5dtv646wq0&feature=channel

ASOS (As Seen On Screen) By : Alessia Mastropietro

ASOS was established in June 2000 by CEO Nick Robertson. It is UK's largest independant online fashion and beauty retailer with over 35000 branded and own label products. Market leader in the Uk online fashion world and attracts over 6.9 million visitors a month, 2.9 million that are registered users. The name As Seen On Screen was chosen to try to show the brands intenton to supply the public with outfits seen on or similar in style to those worn by celebrities. The references to celebrity style gradually became less common, changing the name to ASOS.

This online retailers headquarters is in London, United Kingdom. They have everything from womenswear, menswear, footwear, accessories, jewllery, and even beauty. They are always on top of the lastest fashion trends, and every week theres new clothes to look at which keeps me going back to look all the time.

"The online wonder store is ablaze with hot designers" Maire Claire

Check it out: WWW.ASOS.COM

Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics! By: Alessia Mastropietro

A few weeks ago my class had a guest speaker Donna Bishop, owner and creator of Green Beauty. When she walked into the room I couldn’t help but to notice the colour of her nail polish, it was a perfect pastel turquoise shade. I then asked her what brand it was and she began to tell me a little bit about Cheeky Monkey. I was curious to see where the brand was available to purchase, so I began my research on Cheeky Monkey when I arrived home. Not only did I find out that the nail polishes were environmentally safe and 3free healthy, meaning no formaldehyde, toluene, or DHP, but they had such pretty colours with the funniest names that make you smile. Their spring 2010 collection brings you Filthy Madame (tuxedo grey), Booty Call (dark burgundy), Tease (mauve), and Get wet (pastel turquoise). Each bottle is $15.00, but their high quality formula ensures durable wear, and a long lasting product. The bottles are made from Italian glass, and some ingredients come from European sources ensuring the very best in quality. Cheeky Monkey nail polish was ranked #1 on the skin deep cosmetic safety database (lowest hazard).

As they say “Cheeky Monkey is quality with a giggle”, and they believe that ever women should express their personal edginess.

If interested on learning more about Cheeky Monkey and where you can purchase this nail polish, check out their website Cheekymonkeycosmetics.com or their Facebook page.

paraben-free ; )) By Mahi Hadizadeh

Today I attended a school for a very prestigious cosmetics product brand here in Toronto. The word du jour was “parabens” which are a class of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties.

Health Canada, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) have all deemed that parabens are safe at current exposure levels. The CIR examined parabens in 1984 and again in 2005, and both times accomplished that parabens at the low levels found in personal care products are not a concern.

Some brands have gone on the record about their long-term plans to find paraben replacements to make their products paraben-free. The French brand I am referring to has decided to not announce the removal of such preservatives from its products, and rather have the sales person inform the end user about each product on a case by case basis! I don’t know of the legal consequence of this strategy, but from a marketing point of view, I don’t understand why a corporation would not publicly announce a positive point about its products! It may well be that they are not changing their formulas at all!

My opinion: in a world where we are exposed to high levels of chemicals in our air, soil, and water every day, and tons of oil is leaking in the Gulf of Mexico every minute, we should not concern ourselves with a preservative that has been cleared by health authorities. My point is that spending more on products that claim to be safe and paraben free is too little too late . The French may have a point!

Male Model Alert! by Stefania Di Mascio

Gabriel Montoya, born and raised in Paris, France has recently moved to Toronto. At the age of 23 Gabriel is in pursuit of making a name for himself. Having been here only a couple of months, he has been gaining attention from modelling agencies, stylist's and bloggers. Not only is he tall and slender, he has piercing blue eyes and a smile that could light up the darkest room. Not sold yet? Well if his looks aren't enough Gabriel has a personality that makes you feel like you've been his "ami" for years. Which is shocking seeing as he is from Paris and a first glance or impression rather you'd think he was a snob.

I've gotten the pleasure to know Gabe(I can call him that because we're friends) through working with him. I can say quite honestly that I believe he will be a name to remember. He has lots of drive and enthusiam but even more than that he has a huge heart which may just separate him from the rest. He's passionate in everything he does, and his determination is an inspiration to those around him, you actually find yourself cheering for him.

So, could it be that Gabriel is the next Chad White? You decide; check out some of Gabriel's work and let us know what you think.

http://thinkcontra.com/blog/magazine

http://kyledelancret.blogspot.com